Kogi State governor Usman Ododo on Monday approved the N72,500 minimum wage for workers in the state civil service and local government.

The approved N72,500 minimum wage for state workers is N2,500 higher than the approval in July by the Federal Government for workers in both private and public sectors.

Ododo who gave the approval while receiving a report from the Kogi state minimum wage implementation committee headed by the Head of Civil Service in the state, Elijah Avenemi, said he was more committed to the overall welfare of all cadres of workers.

The governor gave tax relief to workers for one year.

Ododo noted that being a labour leader and a civil servant before going into partisan politics, he knew what the civil servants were going through.

He called on the workers to cooperate with his administration and give him all the necessary support to succeed, assuring them of prompt payment of their salaries.

Presenting the committee report, Evinemi commended the members for a seamless negotiation before the agreement.

He lauded the governor for creating an enabling environment to conclude the exercise in good time, saying that the governor has set the pace for other governors.

Earlier, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Gabriel Amari who spoke on behalf of the organized labour in the state, commended the governor for all his efforts and described Ododo as the best workers’ friendly governor in the state has ever had.

The NLC chairman, who expressed joy over the seamless efforts at which the implementation committee arrived at the new minimum wage, said some states in the federation were yet to set up implementation committees.

He promised that the workers would be more committed to their duties and continue to cooperate with the governor.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour matters, Comrade Onuh Edoka, commended the governor for his generosity and commitment to the welfare of Workers in the state.

Edoka, the immediate past chairman of the NLC in the state, noted that the state has never had a seamless negotiation like under Ododo.

He called on Kogi workers to be more committed to their duties, assuring that the state government under the governor will prioritise their welfare.

A former Senator, Dino Melaye, has been acquitted in the twelfth and final case against him by the Federal Government.

This lengthy legal battle began six years ago.

According to him, Justice Sylvanus Oriji delivered the verdict at the FCT High Court in Maitama, clearing Melaye of two charges of providing false information concerning an alleged assassination attempt on his life in 2017.

This legal saga began in February 2018 when Melaye faced accusations of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, the then-chief of Staff, to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the assassination plot.

Taking to social media platform X on Monday to celebrate the verdict, Melaye expressed his gratitude towards his legal team and emphasised his unwavering faith in divine justice.

“I take life as it comes, but in all the vicissitudes of life, I trust in God only. He is always with the just,” he stated.

In his post, he also noted, “Justice served after six years. Justice delayed is never justice denied. God alone be praised. SEN. DINO MELAYE 12 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND IGP 0. 12 CASES ALL WON BY GOD.”

The initial case regarding the alleged assassination attempt saw delays, including the unfortunate passing of Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu, the judge overseeing the matter, during a cross-over service on December 31, 2017.

The Attorney General’s Office formally charged Melaye on January 31, 2018, claiming his allegations were unfounded, stemming from an investigation into the supposed assassination attempt at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State.

He pleaded not guilty on March 1, 2018.

Some other alleged assassination attempts
Again, in July 2018, Melaye accused the Kogi State police command of attempting to kill him.

He made this accusation in response to claims that his security details had shot at policemen conducting ‘stop and search’ operations in Mopa.

In March 2019, Melaye again alleged a conspiracy against his life by the Kogi State government, which the state authorities denied.

Details later

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has declared Monday, Oct. 7, a public holiday for public and private school teachers in the state to commemorate World Teachers Day.

This is contained in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi.

The statement quoted Adeleke as saying that the holiday was to acknowledge the teachers’ invaluable contributions to the growth of the education sector, not only in the state and Nigeria but the world at large

“I heartily congratulate all teachers worldwide and, in particular, in my dear state, Osun, on the celebration of the annual World Teachers’ Day,  marked on Oct. 5.

 “While it gladdens my heart and that of my administration to declare a public holiday throughout the state, I admonish all teachers to use the one-day public holiday to review the past and present of the state and envision the future development of the education sector in the area.

“I am using this opportunity for the umpteenth time to assure you that my administration will continue to do everything morally and officially possible to put smiles on your faces to make you happy and fulfilled as purveyors of knowledge in the state,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has declared Monday, 7 October, a public holiday to commemorate the 2024 World Teachers’ Day.

This is contained in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu.

She said the gesture was a mark of appreciation for the state’s teachers, recognising their vital contributions to advancing human progress through quality teaching and nurturing young minds.

According to Modibbo-Kawu, the holiday is intended for teachers in both the public and private sectors.

“The Governor expressed his commendation for the teachers’ dedication and wished them a blessed holiday.

“This move demonstrates the Kwara State Government’s commitment to valuing its educators and acknowledging their impact on the community.

“By declaring a public holiday, the Governor aims to show appreciation for the teachers’ hard work and dedication to shaping the state’s future generations.”

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, says the recent increase in corps members’ allowance has not been implemented due to funds.

The Wawe had reported how the Federal Government approved the increment of corps members’ monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, effective from July 2024.

The increment, according to a statement by the NYSC on its official Facebook page, was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta.

But despite the official announcement, the increment did not reflect on corps members’ September monthly allowance as they received N33,000 instead of the approved N77,000.

But speaking to the BBC Hausa service, the NYSC DG explained that although there was approval for the increment, government was yet to release funds to the scheme for the implementation of the new allowance.

He said, “Not only the corps members, even our staff members’ salary has been increased about four to five months ago, but it has not been implemented yet. But we are hopeful that the new pay will be implemented soon, but the funds have not been released to us yet.

“The information we have did not specify when the new allowance will be paid, but we were assured that their monthly allowance has been increased from 29th July 2024.”

The Federal Government (FG) has activated emergency protocols for evacuating Nigerians living in Lebanon over the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The FG through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja made this known on Saturday night in a circular No: MFA/PR/2024/17 signed by its spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe and posted on its official X account.

“Further to the last statement issued on the evacuation of Nigerians from Lebanon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to elucidate on the information contained therein,” Abu-Obe said.

“In this connection, the Federal Government (FG) has commenced evacuation procedures for Nigerian citizens living in Lebanon following the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu wishes to reiterate that the safety and wellbeing of its citizens remains its top priority.

“In the light of the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, the FG has activated emergency protocols to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of our citizens back home as soon as possible.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Presidency, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and other relevant bodies is coordinating the evacuation exercise to ensure the safe return of Nigerians from Lebanon.

According to the ministry, the Nigerian embassy in Beirut has been issuing several advisories since the conflict started for its citizens to stay indoors and follow local authorities’ instruction as well as appeal to those who have not registered with the embassy, to do so through Email: info@mfa.gov.ng.

Presently, about 500 Nigerians have reportedly registered with the mission, however, there are more than 2,000 Nigerian citizens residing in Lebanon, meaning no fewer than 1,500 are yet to register.

“Even though most of them have not indicated willingness to return home in spite of the persuasion by our embassy, we will continue to do everything to ensure the safety of our citizens,” Abu-Obe explained.

“The ministry is pleased to report that no life has been lost. In view of the commendable efforts made by the embassy, working in concert with the leadership of the Nigerian community to evacuate fellow Nigerians from southern Lebanon, the epicenter of the conflict to Beirut, the administration of President Tinubu is making arrangements to send a C130 Aircraft or any other available flight for the evacuation exercise.

“The Nigerian government urges all citizens living In Lebanon not to resist evacuation because the ongoing conflict may escalate and appeals for co-operation with the evacuation process and follow safety guidelines.

“Nigeria appreciates the understanding of the international community and will continue to monitor the situation,” Abu-Obe concluded.

Meanwhile, the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar also attended the meeting where the concerned authorities spoke about evacuating Nigerians living in Lebanon.

“I joined other heads of relevant agencies in a Coordination Forum meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Lebanon issue,” Umar wrote in a post she shared on her official X account.

“We focused on finalizing and activating emergency protocols for the evacuation of Nigerian nationals living in Lebanon.”

The Federal Government (FG) has officially previewed the contactless biometric capture passport application.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo carried out the preview on behalf of the FG in a ceremony on Friday.

Tunji-Ojo following the historic event took to his official X account on Saturday to express his excitement over the achievement.

“Beloved Nigerians, in fulfillment of our promise to deploy a contactless solution for biometric capture, I am pleased to announce that this vision has finally become a reality,” he wrote.

“Yesterday, I hosted a cross-section of stakeholders including top government officials, civil society organizations, media representatives and tech experts to preview the Nigerian Immigration’s innovative contactless biometric capture passport application.

“This cutting-edge technology enhances the passport acquisition process by allowing eligible applicants to initiate and complete their applications seamlessly from the comfort of their homes or workplaces on their mobile devices.

“The new feature is undoubtedly a game-changer and we are eager to fully roll it out in our new passport regime.

“Our goal remains to transform our systems and methods to align with global best practices, setting the pace for other nations to follow without compromising national security.

“After previewing this solution with these stakeholders, we will incorporate their feedback to refine the system. In the coming days, we plan to first launch this service for Nigerians in the diaspora.

“As a nation, we are setting new records and it brings me great joy to see the efforts of President Bola Tinubu bear fruit.

“I would also like to thank all the stakeholders who made history with us yesterday as we look forward to what we will achieve in the days ahead.”